Average Salary in Australia 2026: State by State Breakdown

Australia's labour market in 2026 is powered by three engines: mining and resources in the west, finance and technology in the east, and healthcare and education nationally. Understanding where you'd sit in the Australian salary landscape is essential before making the move.

The national picture

Australia's median full-time adult earnings are $95,000 AUD as of May 2026, according to ABS data. This is for full-time employees — including part-time workers drops the median to around $68,000. Mean earnings sit at $104,000, pulled up by high earners in mining and finance.

After income tax and the 2% Medicare levy, $95,000 AUD gives a take-home of approximately $71,200 AUD per year — or $1,369/week. Add employer super at 11.5% and the full package value is $105,925.

State-by-state breakdown

• Western Australia: $112,000 median — the mining boom continues. Perth's property market is the fastest-growing in Australia but still far cheaper than Sydney.
• New South Wales (Sydney): $101,000 median — finance, tech and professional services dominate. Cost of living is Australia's highest.
• Victoria (Melbourne): $97,500 median — diverse economy across finance, healthcare, education and tech.
• Queensland (Brisbane): $93,000 median — infrastructure boom pre-2032 Olympics. Strong healthcare and construction demand.
• Australian Capital Territory (Canberra): $107,000 median — dominated by public service. High wages, high house prices, surprisingly good lifestyle.
• South Australia (Adelaide): $88,500 median — defence sector growing rapidly. Affordable city.
• Northern Territory (Darwin): $98,000 median — high salaries in healthcare, government and resources. Remote loadings apply.
• Tasmania (Hobart): $83,000 median — beautiful lifestyle, fast-growing tourism sector. Lower wages reflect smaller economy.

Industry breakdown

• Mining & Resources: $130,000–$180,000+ (FIFO roles can exceed $200k)
• Finance & Insurance: $105,000–$160,000
• Technology: $100,000–$150,000
• Healthcare (clinical): $85,000–$200,000+ (specialists)
• Construction & Engineering: $95,000–$130,000
• Education: $70,000–$95,000
• Hospitality & Retail: $50,000–$65,000

Superannuation — the hidden salary component

Australia's Superannuation Guarantee increased to 11.5% on 1 July 2025 and will reach 12% on 1 July 2026. For a $95,000 salary, that's $10,925 in super contributions annually — money that's legally yours but inaccessible until preservation age (60–65).

Many job ads quote "OTE" (on-target earnings) inclusive of super, while others list it separately. Always clarify: "$100k package" might be $89,000 salary + $11,000 super, not $100,000 in your pocket.

Minimum wage

Australia's national minimum wage from 1 July 2025 is $24.10/hour ($915.80/week), the highest minimum wage of any major economy in the world in AUD terms. Award wages (which apply to most workers in hospitality, retail and construction) are higher still for many categories.

The verdict for migrants

Australia offers genuine salary premiums over New Zealand and the UK for most skilled occupations. The premium is most pronounced in mining, engineering and healthcare. The trade-offs are well-documented: Sydney and Melbourne are extremely expensive cities, the commute culture is demanding, and "work-life balance" means different things to different employers. But for a 5–10 year financial sprint, Australia's combination of high wages, compulsory super and a strong job market is hard to beat.